Hitler’s Lightning War Unit 7, SSWH 18 a & b
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Hitler’s Lightning War Unit 7, SSWH 18 a & b. Blitzkrieg: Lightning War. Sept 1, 1939—Hitler launches invasion of Poland, wanted to regain the Polish Corridor (port of Danzig) Britain, France declare war on Germany (Sept 3, 1939) Poland falls quickly
Hitler’s Lightning War Unit 7, SSWH 18 a & b
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Presentation Transcript
Blitzkrieg: Lightning War • Sept 1, 1939—Hitler launches invasion of Poland, wanted to regain the Polish Corridor (port of Danzig) • Britain, France declare war on Germany (Sept 3, 1939) Poland falls quickly • Blitzkrieg: Germany’s new military strategy, surprise & quick
Soviets Make Their Move • Soviets capture Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, resistance met in Finland • French, British mobilize along French border, wait for German attack • Many months of no action—the “phony war” (until Apr. 1940)
Fall of France • May 1940: Germany conquers Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg • German forces trap British, French on coast at Dunkirk • British Navy, civilians take ships across Channel to rescue 338,000 soldiers (Rescue/Miracle at Dunkirk) • June 1940: France surrenders to Germany
Battle of Britain • Winston Churchill—Becomes British prime minister, vows no surrender • Germany plans invasion of Britain; air attacks 1940 - 1941 • British use air force, radar, code-breaking to resist Germany • Stunned by British resistance, Hitler calls off attacks
Axis Forces Attack • Mussolini declares war on France, Britain after German victory • Sept. 1940:Mussolini attacks British in North Africa • Dec. 1940: British attack & drive Italians back • Erwin Rommel, German general, battles British in North Africa • 1942, Rommel 1st retreats, then succeeds against British
Hitler To Invade USSR • Hitler plans to invade Soviet Union; takes Balkan countries • Hitler invades Yugoslavia, Greece in April 1941; both fall quickly • Germany invades an unprepared Soviet Union June 1941 • Soviet troops burn land as they retreat; Germans move into Russia • Germans almost capture Moscow, but forced back
American Policy • Most Americans want to avoid war - isolationism • Pres. Franklin Roosevelt fears that if Allies fall, U.S. would have to fight • Lend-Lease Act—U.S. loans weapons to Allies • Roosevelt and Churchill meet, Atlantic Charter, issue statement of principles (supports free trade, right to form own government)- plans for post war